[[Image:narsarsuaq_summer.jpeg|thumb|350px|Aerial view near Narsarsuaq in the summer.]]

'''Narsarsuaq''' is a village in [[Southern Greenland]].

'''Narsarsuaq''' is a village in [[Southern Greenland]].

The village is based around the airport, which was built in 1941 by the US military, but is now in commercial use. When arriving in [[Southern Greenland]] by international flight this will be your destination. Most of the buildings in the town support the airport, the surrounding area has some spectacular sights.

The village is based around the airport, which was built in 1941 by the US military, but is now in commercial use. When arriving in [[Southern Greenland]] by international flight this will be your destination. Most of the buildings in the town support the airport, the surrounding area has some spectacular sights.

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==Do==

==Do==

+

[[Image:narsarsuaq_tourist_flight.jpeg|thumb|350px|Narsarsuaq tourist flight in a helicopter.]]

===Hiking===

===Hiking===

The '''Inland ice''' is within walking distance from Narsarsuaq. To get there, follow the road to the burned down hospital and walk through the scenic Flower Valley (Danish: Blomsterdalen). An almost vertical 300 m climb gets you to the beautiful view of the Narsarsuaq Glacier, and it is even possible to get quite close (though it is important to keep a very long safety distance!!!). Aside from the climb, it is an easy walk (approx. 10 km), and the climb is possible for people who are in reasonable condition, as the steepest parts are supported by ropes that you can hold on to. Guided tours can be arranged with the tourist office [http://www.blueice.gl].

The '''Inland ice''' is within walking distance from Narsarsuaq. To get there, follow the road to the burned down hospital and walk through the scenic Flower Valley (Danish: Blomsterdalen). An almost vertical 300 m climb gets you to the beautiful view of the Narsarsuaq Glacier, and it is even possible to get quite close (though it is important to keep a very long safety distance!!!). Aside from the climb, it is an easy walk (approx. 10 km), and the climb is possible for people who are in reasonable condition, as the steepest parts are supported by ropes that you can hold on to. Guided tours can be arranged with the tourist office [http://www.blueice.gl].

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* <eat name="Cafe Blue Ice" alt="c/o Blue Ice Explorer" address="P.O. Box 58, 3923 Narsarsuaq, Greenland" directions="" phone="(+299) 49 73 71" url="http://www.blueice.gl/cafe.html" hours="Open daily from 8.30 to 18 from June 1 to Sept. 15" price="" lat="" long="" email="info@blueice.gl" fax="">Mainly offers drinks, snacks and light meals. Also has Wifi and a small library on-site. The cafe also has a small souvenir shop with maps of the area as well. The staff also provides advice to travelers hiking/exploring around the area.</eat>

* <eat name="Cafe Blue Ice" alt="c/o Blue Ice Explorer" address="P.O. Box 58, 3923 Narsarsuaq, Greenland" directions="" phone="(+299) 49 73 71" url="http://www.blueice.gl/cafe.html" hours="Open daily from 8.30 to 18 from June 1 to Sept. 15" price="" lat="" long="" email="info@blueice.gl" fax="">Mainly offers drinks, snacks and light meals. Also has Wifi and a small library on-site. The cafe also has a small souvenir shop with maps of the area as well. The staff also provides advice to travelers hiking/exploring around the area.</eat>

The youth hostel is situated 600 m northeast of the airport a bit of the side of the main road. Prices can be found on the Blue Ice café website [http://www.blueice.gl].

The youth hostel is situated 600 m northeast of the airport a bit of the side of the main road. Prices can be found on the Blue Ice café website [http://www.blueice.gl].

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The cheap option is to put up a tent. Just stay out of the gasoline tank areas, the airport and the centre of town, then nobody will mind. If you do it near the water you will have the music of the iceberg to sleep to. Don't be surprised when you wake up in the middle of the night because a giant iceberg chose to turn upside down just outside your tent. For this reason you should avoid camping directly on the shoreline - a rolling iceberg can create a sizeable wave, a bit like a small tsunami, there have been isolated reports of tents being swept away by these waves.

The cheap option is to put up a tent. Just stay out of the gasoline tank areas, the airport and the centre of town, then nobody will mind. If you do it near the water you will have the music of the iceberg to sleep to. Don't be surprised when you wake up in the middle of the night because a giant iceberg chose to turn upside down just outside your tent. For this reason you should avoid camping directly on the shoreline - a rolling iceberg can create a sizeable wave, a bit like a small tsunami, there have been isolated reports of tents being swept away by these waves.

* <sleep name="Ipiutaq Guest Farm" alt="" address="P.O. Box 163, 3921 Narsarsuaq, Greenland" directions="" phone="(+299) 19 92 22" url="http://www.ipiutaq.gl" checkin="" checkout="" price="Double: Eur113 per person. Single: Eur 134. Pricing decreases after 3rd and 4th night" lat="" long="" email="guestfarm@ipiutaq.gl" fax="">Stay at this farm includes activities and a local fishing spot. There is also a private cottage that can sleep up to 5. Meal service is available upon request at booking. Open from June-September.</sleep>

{{isIn|Southern_Greenland}}

{{isIn|Southern_Greenland}}

Revision as of 10:11, 3 October 2012

Aerial view near Narsarsuaq in the summer.

Narsarsuaq is a village in Southern Greenland.
The village is based around the airport, which was built in 1941 by the US military, but is now in commercial use. When arriving in Southern Greenland by international flight this will be your destination. Most of the buildings in the town support the airport, the surrounding area has some spectacular sights.

First thing to do, when arriving, is to go to the Blue Ice Explorer Café/Tourist Office/Museum [1], where you will leave your bags, and find out what to see/do.
Remember that, as everything else in Greenland, the availability of transportation and sight seeing depend on the current weather conditions.

Contents

Understand

Narsarsuaq is home to one of Greenland’s international airports; the other is located in Kangerlussuaq. It is one of the only flat plains in Greenland making it ideal for an airport. The small settlement around the airport is bustling though, with passengers arriving daily. The town has a hotel, hostel, shop, café and a nurses station.

Get in

By air

Narsarsuaq airport is one of the two airports (the other being Kangerlussuaq) in Greenland large enough for international air traffic. Air Greenland [2] used to offer weekly flights form Copenhagen, Denmark and Airiceland [3] has 5 weekly flights from Reykjavik, Iceland. In the summertime, Atlantic Airways [4] also has flights from Reykjavik, Iceland, but not as regular as airiceland.

By boat

From May to September the Arctic Umiaq Line [5] has a weekly ferry to and from Narsarsuaq. It follows the coastline to the west and, if possible, sails all the way to Ilulisat, passing Qaqortoq, Nuuk and Sisimiut on the way. To Greenlanders, the ferry is used like the Intercity trains in Europe, thus you'll meet ordinary people visiting their families, not just tourists on a cruise. The company is trying to make the route more attractive to tourists, i.e. the captains are instructed to sail annouce and sail closer to any whales spotted on the route. So if you hear a sudden speaker mumble ressembling the danish word hvaler, do hurry to the upper deck for a spetacular view of jumping whales.

Small boats sail the waters south of Narsarsuaq all the time. The tourist office arranges boats to most of the cities in Southern Greenland, but you might be able to catch a lift on a fishing boat going your direction.

Over land

On the other side of the river a dirt road leads to the settlement Qassiasuk on the other side of the fjord. But to arrange to cross the river, you have to talk to the tourist office in Narsarsuaq.

Get around

Most places are within walking distance, but taxis can be arranged by the hotel or tourist office. If you need to go to the harbour, a bus (owned by the hotel) can be arranged to pick you up. The fare is approx. 10 DKK or free if you live at the hotel.
Further distances can be reached by boat. Check with the tourist office or a fisherboat at the harbour.

See

Views

For easy trips you can climb the Signal Hill (Danish: Signalhøjen), which gives you a beautiful view over the fjord. Otherwise you can go to the harbour or the beach to watch icebergs sail by and hear them break.

One official sight is the lone standing fireplace of a burned down hospital north east of town.

Museum

The museum in Narsarsuaq features many historical artifacts from the American Blue West One base that was built in 1941 during WWII, there collection features pictures and artifacts from when the base was active from 1941-1948.

Narsarsuaq Museum, P.O. Box 46, 58, 3923 Narsarsuaq, Greenland, ☎(+299) 23 45 68/(+299) 66 53 68 (og@narsarsuaqmuseum.gl), [6]. Open June-September. The museum was opened in 1991, and it focuses largely on photos and artifacts from the American Air Base that used to be located in the town (operational during WWII)Free Admission.

Do

Narsarsuaq tourist flight in a helicopter.

Hiking

The Inland ice is within walking distance from Narsarsuaq. To get there, follow the road to the burned down hospital and walk through the scenic Flower Valley (Danish: Blomsterdalen). An almost vertical 300 m climb gets you to the beautiful view of the Narsarsuaq Glacier, and it is even possible to get quite close (though it is important to keep a very long safety distance!!!). Aside from the climb, it is an easy walk (approx. 10 km), and the climb is possible for people who are in reasonable condition, as the steepest parts are supported by ropes that you can hold on to. Guided tours can be arranged with the tourist office [7].

Hiking maps of the area make longer trips possible, but beware that trails on the map are suggestive, meaning it may be possible to walk this route and the route may not actually be marked. Green trails are routes along roads which are easy to navigate and difficult to get lost on. Blue are fairly easy cross country paths. Red trails are difficult. Black routes are extremely difficult and should be avoided if you are not a very experienced hiker or with an experienced guide. The trail down from Nakkaalaaq, for example, is little more than over-steepened talus slope. Don't expect anything to be marked, nor that lakes and streams have the size indicated, as this varies throughout seasons. Beware of the mosquitos and flies. Though not dangerous, they are quite a nuisance, so bring a net and lots of bug repellant.

Fishing

River fishing is possible on the inlets of the fjord system near Narsarsuaq. Char is the most common catch, and it can be found in both salt- and freshwater.

Kayaking

Kayaking was invented in Greenland, and in Narsarsuaq there are great inlets in the fjord system to explore. Although they are protected from the wind and more turbulent seas, it is still necessary to be careful because the water is ice cold.

Tourist Flights

From the airport, it is possible to arrange a tourist flight to some of the most remote areas in Greenland. Tourist can arrange quick stops to take a look at the scenery, or overnight stays at remote settlements.

Tasermiut Expeditions, B14, 3923 Narsarsuaq, Greenland, ☎(+299) 52 28 22 (info@tasermiut.com), [8]. Offers single day excursions, as well as 4-5, 8, and 15 day excursions. Trips are fully planned with detailed itineraries for travelers. Each also gives some free time in the town for shopping/exploring. Costs are roughly DKK 20,000 for the longest, including transfers.

Blue Ice Explorer, P.O. Box 58, 3923 Narsarsuaq, Greenland, ☎(+299) 66 54 99 (info@blueice.gl), [9]. Tours in Danish, English, French and Spanish. Offers short 2-5 hour tours, as well as serval day expeditions, and boat tours in the area. There are also fishing and hiking trips available. Most are weather dependent and seasonal tours.DKK500-10,000+.

Eat

Fast food can be bought at the airport, and you can probably get a bun, coffee or cake at the tourist office.

A restaurant is situated in the hotel.

Cafe Blue Ice (c/o Blue Ice Explorer), P.O. Box 58, 3923 Narsarsuaq, Greenland, ☎(+299) 49 73 71 (info@blueice.gl), [11]. Open daily from 8.30 to 18 from June 1 to Sept. 15. Mainly offers drinks, snacks and light meals. Also has Wifi and a small library on-site. The cafe also has a small souvenir shop with maps of the area as well. The staff also provides advice to travelers hiking/exploring around the area.

Restaurant Narsarsuaq (c/o Hotel Narsarsuaq), P.O. Box 504, 3923 Narsarsuaq, Greenland, ☎(+299) 66 52 53 (reception.narsarsuaq@glv.gl), [12]. Open daily from 18-24. Offers global menu with a la carte dishes. Some focus is placed on Greenlandic dishes. The restaurant is only open for dinner in the summer.

Drink

There's a small bar in the hotel that serves local beer (Tuborg) and various imported drinks along with some interesting cocktails. The general store also sells some alcoholic drinks.

Alcohol is expensive in Greenland, so it's worth bringing your own if you can.

Sleep

Hotel Narsarsuaq

The youth hostel is situated 600 m northeast of the airport a bit of the side of the main road. Prices can be found on the Blue Ice café website [13].

The more expensive solution is to stay at the hotel. Take the bus from the airport (free if you stay at the hotel) or ask at the tourist office.

The cheap option is to put up a tent. Just stay out of the gasoline tank areas, the airport and the centre of town, then nobody will mind. If you do it near the water you will have the music of the iceberg to sleep to. Don't be surprised when you wake up in the middle of the night because a giant iceberg chose to turn upside down just outside your tent. For this reason you should avoid camping directly on the shoreline - a rolling iceberg can create a sizeable wave, a bit like a small tsunami, there have been isolated reports of tents being swept away by these waves.

Hotel Narsarsuaq, P.O. Box 504, 3923 Narsarsuaq, Greenland, ☎(+299) 66 52 53 (reception.narsarsuaq@glv.gl), [15]. Mainly single and double rooms, other room types are available (family with up to 6 beds). The hotel has a restaurant, cafe and bar. Breakfast is included in the price of the room.Single: DKK795, Double: DKK995.

Ipiutaq Guest Farm, P.O. Box 163, 3921 Narsarsuaq, Greenland, ☎(+299) 19 92 22 (guestfarm@ipiutaq.gl), [16]. Stay at this farm includes activities and a local fishing spot. There is also a private cottage that can sleep up to 5. Meal service is available upon request at booking. Open from June-September.Double: Eur113 per person. Single: Eur 134. Pricing decreases after 3rd and 4th night.